 |
Heater Sparks Fire at Minneapolis First
By TIM HARLOW, Star Tribune
Cleanup is underway at a south Minneapolis church where a heater used to warm pipes apparently caused a fire Tuesday night that destroyed new equipment for the youth drum corps and other programs.
The fire destroyed drums, flags, uniforms and camping equipment bought in August for the drum corps and drill team of the Minneapolis First Seventh-Day Adventist Church. The church also lost supplies for the Pathfinders ministry used by children from age 4 through the teens, said the Rev. Maurice Battle, pastor of the 300-member congregation.
The fire was primarily contained to the equipment room, but did an estimated $50,000 in damage, said Sean McKenna, a spokesman for the Minneapolis police and arson squad.
Battle learned about the fire around 10:45 p.m. when a church leader called him at home to tell him the building at 2315 Nicollet Avenue S. was burning.
"He jokes around a lot and at first I didn't believe him," Battle said. "I drove to the church. I was shocked, stunned. This is not a fun thing."
Several members of the congregation stopped by the building the church has used for the past 2 1/2 years to see what they could do to help. Representatives from the church's insurance were on site today cleaning up the mess so services can be held Saturday.
Sabbath School classes won't be held Saturday. The church also is temporarily suspending its ministry in which it supplies clothing to needy people, but other programs will continue, Battle said.
A preliminary investigation shows that a heater mounted to the ceiling caused a fire in nearby insulation and window trim. The church had recently installed the unit because pipes in the basement had been freezing. The heater had run continuously for the past three days, McKenna said.
Baptisms in Park Rapids
 Park Rapids Adventist Church welcomed two new members into their fold when Barb Stoehr and Robert Grubb were baptized into the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus on November 15, 2008.
Barb, who had not been active in her Catholic faith for some time, was experiencing serious health problems and needed a liver transplant. She was put on the transplant list in the spring of 2006. During this period she spent much time with her TV for lack of ability to do much else. She happened upon 3ABN and began watching and learning. By that fall she was reading her Bible and attending the local Catholic church for 5:30 mass on Saturdays as her way of observing the Sabbath.  Then, through a divinely appointed meeting with her apartment building neighbor Jesse, she learned about the Park Rapids Adventist church and soon began to attend.
When the doctors found two tumors on Barb’s liver, she was moved up on the transplant list. Barb received her new liver in May of this year. Over the years, Barb has had numerous struggles over which, through the help of the Holy Spirit, she is now gaining victory. Barb has been given a new life in Christ Jesus! She gives God all the glory and hopes that by sharing her story, others can also come to know how much Jesus loves them.
 Bob also has been dealing with some serious health problems. While crossing a street in Duluth, he was hit by a truck and sustained major injuries; it was a miracle that he survived at all. He lives with pain on a daily basis but is thankful to Jesus for giving him new life in Him.
Since his baptism, he says that his life has never been better. He has been completely free from smoking and he has discovered that he is a grandfather. He was separated from his daughters since they were twelve and thirteen when they were put in foster care. A little less than two weeks after his baptism he got a call from one of his daughters who had found him by using the internet. She picked him out among hundreds of Robert Grubbs listed. Each of his daughters has a baby boy and he was able to spend some time with them the weekend after Thanksgiving.
Bemidji Baptisms
 Joe and Ashley Vaughan were baptized on November 8, at the Bemidji Seventh-day Adventist Church. They were married earlier this year and have been studying with Pastor Mayberry for several months in preparation of this memorable event. Before the baptism Joe and Ashley gave their personal testimonies of their love for Jesus and their trust in Him as their personal Savior. They want to devote their lives to help others to learn about salvation in Jesus.
Adventist Schools Helping their Communities
 Operation Christmas Child in HutchinsonLaura Cummings, Development Director, MWA
Maplewood Academy was the Collection Center for the Operations Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry again this year. In November, residents of Hutchinson dropped off Christmas packages which will be sent to children around the world. During the course of the week, Maplewood received 1,478 shoebox gifts! The National Honor Society as well as other student volunteers, packed all of the gift boxes into a large trailer which took them to Willmar where they unloaded the gifts. On another day, the Maplewood Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors volunteered at the Operation Christmas Child Processing Center in Bloomington, MN. The students and staff collected over 1,500 shoebox gifts that will be sent to children in many different countries, including Belize, Mongolia, Nepal, Rwanda, and Trinidad, just to name a few. At the Collection Center, students sorted through thousands of shoebox gifts, removing any items that couldn’t be sent and adding more treasures to the boxes which will be sent to Kenya. Over eight million shoebox gifts were collected by Operation Christmas Child this year.
Blankets for Children
Suzanne R. Elmer, Teacher
The Essential Life Skills Class at Minnetonka Christian Academy made polar fleece blankets for Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners located in Wayzata. The students had a tour of the facility and a time to learn about IOCP - what they do, who they serve, etc. The blankets will be put in the birthday room where parents can come to get a gift and a blanket, cake mix, frosting and candles etc. The class prayed for the children who will receive the blankets that they will be wrapped in warmth and in the love of Jesus.
River Bluff Christian School Collects for Community Shelf
Sharon Learned, Teacher
In October, the Red Wing SDA Church teamed up with the students of River Bluff Christian School to help collect food for the Red Wing Community Food Shelf. One Sabbath, members of the church helped staple a note onto grocery bags which were left at the door of neighboring homes inviting people’s food donations to be picked up the next day by the students. The community was generous and the students were able to deliver the food directly to the food shelf that day. The volunteers at the food shelf were very grateful for the delivery and the students discovered again that the Bible is true when it says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Bible Instructor Professional Certificate
Ninety-one church members from each of the Hispanic districts, signed up for and began the program for the Bible InstructorProfessional Certificate offered by Andrews University.
The first class was taught by Dr. Ricardo Norton, Professor at the University, on November seven and eight in the large meeting room of the Conference Office.
The class had to do with the theory and practice of preaching. At future sessions there will be five more classes needed to complete the requirements.
The students were also challenged to bring one new believer to the feet of Jesus in 2009.
The training for Bible Instructor was funded by the Hispanic Ministries Institute at Andrews University to train church members on the theory and practice of ministry. The program also awards a Professional Certificate for those who attend the classes, and University credit for those who already have a degree.
The next two classes will take place in January and February. For more information, you may call Pastor Yulian Tinoco at 612-870-0081 or 612-703-9099.
certificación profesional para instructores bíblicos
Noventa y un mmiembros de iglesia, provenientes de los diferentes distritos se inscribieron e iniciaron el programa de certificación profesional para instructores bíblicos laicos de la Universidad de Andrews.
La primera clase fue impartida por el Dr. Ricardo Norton, catedrático de la Universidad los días siete y ocho de Noviembre en el salón de reuniones de las oficinas de la conferencia.
La clase se relacionó con la teoría y práctica de la predicación y en fechas posteriores se impartirán las cinco clases restantes.
Los estudiantes además de los requisitos de clases fueron desafiados a llevar un nuevo creyente a los pies de Jesús en el 2009.
El seminario para entrenamiento laico ha sido fundado por el instituto de ministerio hispano de Andrews University para instruir a los miembros de iglesia en la teoría y práctica del ministerio.
El programa también otorga un certificado profesional para quienes asisten a los cursos y créditos universitarios para quienes ya tienen una licenciatura.
Dos clases más se impartirán durante los meses de Enero y Febrero Para más información puede llamar al Pr. Yulian Tinoco – 612-870-0081 ó 612- 703-9099
Listen to Hans Diehl's CHIP Presentations
Dr. Hans Diehl's camp meeting presentations for the Coronary Health Improvement Project (CHIP) are now available. Click here.
Dan Bates Joins Pastoral Team
Dan Bates is the new pastor for the Duluth/Grand Marais churches. Dan was working for the Ontario Conference and is just finishing his M.Div. program. Plans are for Dan, his wife Anita, and their three children Keri, Kristen, Ashley to begin in his new district at the beginning of January, 2009.
ACS Conference: June 29
 Adventist Community Services (ACS) will present a premier event for learning the latest professional strategies and skills to successfully lead social action ministries and evangelism in the 21st century. This event is designed to equip conference leaders, pastors, laymen, and social service workers to be come more effective leaders. This year we also recognize an awesome group of dynamic energy – our youth, the leaders of tomorrow.
At the National ACS Convention in Albuquerque, NM, June 29 – July 5, 2009, you may take one of following certification tracks to equip yourself:
In addition, during the convention, the participants will experience hands-on community outreach activities such as, KIDS Fest, Street Art Ministry, Mock Disaster Drill and Community Needs Assessment.
Please visit www.plusline.org or call 1-800-732-7587 to register by May 1, 2008 for the early bird special - $199.
Hope that you would take an advantage of this remarkable spiritual renewal, networking opportunity and educational workshops.
For more detail information, visit www.communityservices.org or call 301-680-6438. You may also click on this link to download the ACS Convention brochure.
|
|
Area Bible Bowls
